About Allergies: Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac Season

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Plants from the Toxicodendron family are the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, and include poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Coming into contact with these plants can cause a rash consisting of a linear, or streak-like, group of itchy blisters or bumps. The chemicals released from the plants, called urushiols, cause the itchy rash. Urushiol can be carried on the fur of animals, garden tools, sports equipment and clothing. The smoke from burning Toxicodendron leaves can also carry urushiol, and can result in inflammation in the lungs if inhaled. Patch testing is not necessary for Toxicodendron plants, since most people would have a positive test and the diagnosis is made clinically. Treatment involves avoidance of exposure to these plants, and the use of topical steroids to reduce the rash and itching. All About Poison Oak, Ivy and Sumac Many of us have come into contact with poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac at one time or another. Maybe this exposure came as a result of hiking or camping, or from trying to get the backyard weeds under control. Of course, there's a chance that we might not remember when we actually came into contact with these plants, but we certainly can't forget the itchy rash that came as the result. See More About:  itching  allergic rashes  eczema Food Allergies and Poison Ivy Allergic reactions can occur with any food, but mangoes are unique in that they belong to the plant family that also contains poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac. Contact with the skin from mangoes, such as with eating a mango like an apple, can result in contact dermatitis around the mouth. These symptoms may include redness, itching and flaking on the areas of skin that the mango touched, and look much like a poison oak reaction. See More About:  allergies  allergist  allergy testing Is There a Cure for Poison Oak Allergy? While the rashes caused by poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac are treatable, (usually with topical corticosteroids or oral/injected corticosteroids, in severe cases), there is no way to prevent these reactions from occurring aside from avoiding contact with these plants. Urushiol, oil found on poison oak leaves, causes allergic contact dermatitis, which is not caused by allergic antibodies like true allergic reactions. Therefore, allergy shots do not work to prevent poison oak reactions, and there is no way to cure these types of reactions with pills or injections. Allergies Ads Poison Ivy Skin Rash Poison Ivy Treatment Eating Poison Ivy Itchy Skin Rash Rash Featured Articles Drug and Latex Allergies Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies Glossary of Terms   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Real Recipes app Download our highly-rated app for free recipes and kitchen tools, for iPhone and iPod Touch. More> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies   Follow me on: Advertisement